POST FROM WEDNESDAY 10/20/10.
Shalom,
Psalm 111 is the first of the "Hallelujah" psalms, that begin or end with "Praise the LORD". (Psalms 11-112, 115-117) Verse 1:
1 PRAISE THE LORD! (Hallelujah!) I will praise and give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation.
Praise and worship is a vital part of our walk with the Lord. Private praise is first, when we spend time in His presence one on one! Then in the "council of the upright" is spending time in praise and worship with a small group of like-minded believers. We do this at the Spoken Word Church when the elders meet on Friday night. Then we praise and worship as a congregation on Sunday mornings and in special services at other times. All of these examples are needful in the life of a believer. Verse 4:
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion.
Spending time remembering all He's done encourages us that we can truly count on Him to continue fulfilling His Word in our lives! Verse 7b-8:
7b and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy). 8 They stand fast and are established forever and ever and are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness.
THAT is referring to the Word of God! Remember that His Word IS Truth! (John 17:17) And then finishing up with verse 10:
10 The reverent fear and worship of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.
Get to know Him intimately, not just what He's done, but Who He is and how He thinks. When you do this, praise and worship becomes as natural as breathing! GLORY!
1 Peter 3:3-4:
3 Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.
Over the years so many people have misinterpreted these verses to mean that believers should not wear makeup, or jewelry, or fashionable clothes, or even care about the way they look. That is SO not what this is saying! These verses are saying that we are NOT what we wear! Allow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit (you know, the ONE Who began that good work in you! Philippians 1:6) to change you from the inside out! Be known by the type of person you are and NOT by the type of clothes and accessories you wear! THEN let the inner person and personality that God gave you be expressed by the tasteful way you do adorn yourself! God wants you to look your best because it IS a reflection on Him when you call yourself by His Name! Be the best YOU that you can be! AMEN!
In Daniel 1-2 we see the capture of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. This had been prophesied by Jeremiah and others and now came to pass. What we are going to look at today is found in Daniel 1:8-9:
8 But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king's rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself. 9 Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs.
The Babylonians had brought some of the children of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobility, and wanted to teach and train them in their ways. Daniel was one of them, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The Babylonians changed their names, taught them their language and customs and wanted them to serve in the king's palace. They were submitted to doing all of this EXCEPT when it came to anything that went against God's Word! When these young men made their stand, God got involved and gave them favor! Don't be quick to speak out in defiance and revolt when faced with things you don't agree with! First of all, make your stand before God! Then let Him give you favor where favor is needed! The testimony of these Hebrew children and their stand on God's Word and how THEIR God responded, spoke louder than any words or protests they might have made! Allow God to BE God and watch and see what HE can accomplish THROUGH you! AMEN!
Shalom in Him!
